U.S. Cattlemen File Country of Origin Labeling Rule Comments

August 24, 2007

San Lucas, Calif. - The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA), on August 20, filed comments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) on the agency's proposed rule requiring mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts. USCA's comments were submitted in response to USDA's request for comment prior to the adoption of the final rule. In 2002 Congress amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 by adding a provision for country of origin labeling to the Farm Bill. In July 2007, Congress again amended the Act by adding language regarding different allowable categories for labeling beef products. The amendment maintains the language of the 2002 Farm Bill with respect to U.S. products, and establishes a multiple country of origin meat label for product derived from animals not of U.S. origin. Further, the current law amends the Act by requiring an imported meat label for product imported into the U.S. for immediate harvest. Danni Beer, USCA Region X Director and COOL Committee Chairman said this comment period will likely be followed by more opportunities for producers to communicate with USDA on implementation details. "If we see similar language passed in the U.S. Senate during its farm policy debate, it's likely another comment period will be made available. Comment periods like these are the agency's method of inviting input from livestock producers to help shape the rules for implementation of the law. It is very important for producers to take advantage of these opportunities to communicate with USDA about how to implement the law in a manner that preserves the intent of Congress in a least-cost method. I encourage everyone to stay engaged as we see this process through to the day the law is implemented." USCA's COOL rule comments can be viewed at www.uscattlemen.org. Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to assembling a team to concentrate efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry's voice on Capitol Hill. For more information visit www.uscattlemen.org